Likelihood of twins?

Question

My dad is a twin, my gran on my mums side is a twin and my great great grandad on my dads side was a twin? Would I be more likely to have twins?

Answer 1

i'm sure there is probably a higher likelyhood, but still depends on how you get fertalized ya know?

Answer 2

It depends on whether your family's twin thing is with identical twins or non-identical twins, but also how you got fertilised as IVF will heighten your chances of carrying twins.

The genes for identical twins runs through the male side although it seems also to be carried through the female to a lesser extent. The twins are created with an egg splitting after fertilisation of a single sperm hence the genetic data being duplicated exactly (well as far as we know exactly).

Non-identical twins, however are more random and although it does seem that it is more based along the female side as the twins are caused by two eggs being fertilised by two separate sperm there is no conclusive proof. Although the genetic data is that same for both embryos the way they are interpreted are different and that's how differences in eye or hair colour come about.

The thing about it skipping a generation is a bit of an old wive's tale as there is no reason to suppose that genetically it would know how many generations have passed.

Answer 3

Ok well I am actually learning about this in Genetics currently. having twins is a recessive trait. Meaning if you were have children with a person who has no chance of having twins, a homozygous dominant for that allele then you have no chance. But if you had children with someone that is heterozygous for that allele you have a 1/4 or a 1/2 chance that you will have twins. Of course all this depends on what your allele carries within your genetic information. There are many doctors that can look at your pedigree (family tree) or your partners and decide the probability that you will or will not have twins. There is no way of actually saying 'yes' or 'no' that you will have twins.

Plus if two zygotes are formed you will have non-identical but if it is one that forms two different blastula you will have identical twins.

This is a VERY simple way of putting it. These traits could also be sex-linked. There are alot of outside factors that either have not been determined in the world of science or are extremely complicated.

All-in-All having twins is a blessing.

Answer 4

Twins run on the mothers side so if there is a long line of twins on her side then it could be likely. It's a load of rubbish that twins skip a generation. Just have a look into your mam's genetic history and you'll have some idea. Nothing is certain though so if you're hoping for twins, try not to get your hopes up too high pet

Answer 5

Twins are not determined by the mans sperm as someone has stated. The man only determines the sex. The female determines how many. Fraternal Twins is 2 eggs being fertalized. Identical Twins is from 1 egg being fertizlized and splitting to become 2 seperate but identical fetus'. Twins generally skip a generation, but not always.

Answer 6

I'd say you've a high enough risk factor. when i was pregnant with my son BEFORE i got my scan i was told i had an 80% chance of having twins i have 2 sets of twin uncles, 2 sets of twin cousins, one of my cousins had twins and my grandad was a twin and my sons father was a twin but it worked out ok for me.. i think if there are twins in any family wherever the connection no matter how big or small it is a possiblity for anyone in that family.

Answer 7

Here are a few factors of the possible chances of having twins...


A family history on the mother’s side (the father’s contribution is less certain)
Age - women in their late 30s are statistically more likely to have twins
Whether you already have children - the likelihood of twins increases with the number of children already conceived

Answer 8

When twin babies develop, it can be via one of two ways. Either, the mom can produce 2 eggs at once which each get fertilized by a sperm. These are called fraternal twins. Since they are two totally separate eggs and separate sperm, they can be either one boy, one girl, or both girls, or both boys. Since these twins arise from separate eggs and separate sperm, each baby is genetically different from each other. It's just like having a double pregnancy.

The other way twins can develop is by a single egg getting fertilized and then as that embryo begins to develop, it spontaneously splits into two totally separate embryos and they both develop simultaneously each as a whole baby. Since in this case it is all begun with one egg and one sperm, these types of twins will be always the same sex, either both boys or both girls, depending on whether an X or a Y sperm fertilized the egg. These twins would be known as identical twins, because they have the exact same genetic makeup.
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Answer 9

If you have twins in the family then I believe this raises your likelyhood of having twins, but I think it is only if they are fraternal twins - identical twins are just an unusual ocurrence when the egg splits, rather than with fraternal twins where the mother has released two eggs at the same time. Least, that's what I heard, I'm no expert.

Answer 10

It depends whether they were paternal twins or identical twins. Identical twins are a fluke and are not a genetic link. Paternal twins are caused by the woman releaseing more than one egg at a time and this tendency can be inherited. My doctor told me that if one of your parents is a twin your risk doubles and then when you are over 30 it doubles again and if you have more than 3 kids it doubles again.

Answer 11

i got 5 sets of twins in my side of the family they say its every 4th genoration my great gran is a twin my aunt is a twin my brothers are twins and not sure who the others are im a mum of 9 kids but none are twins but my mum did say it would be one of my kids that will have twins but either way twins are lovely i would have loved to have twins but no more for me 9s more than enough.